Amsterdam Journals

Amsterdam

A September 2002 trip to Amsterdam by Grasshopper

Quote: Amsterdam is a city with many faces. I don't know that I can explain here how important it has become to me, but I can try.

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Amsterdam

Overview

Quote:

I made my first business trip to the Netherlands a few days after 9/11. I made my last trip just a year later. The purposes of my trips were sometimes extremely difficult. While the bulk of my business was in Eindhoven, over the year I grew to love Amsterdam and found incredibly healing properties in the spirit and soul of this beautiful city. This is not about the Red Light District, or coffee shops (although they are certainly interesting!). It is about a place that grew to feel like home.Quick Tips: Best Way To Get Around: Amsterdam is one of the easiest cities to get around in the world. To say that the Netherlands is a "bike friendly" nation, is akin to saying that it's c...Read More

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Amsterdam American Hotel

Hotel | "American"

Quote:

I've got to admit, I've slept around a bit in Amsterdam! This was my favorite place, but frankly is typically out of my price range. When I'm headed to Amsterdam, I check out www.hotel-booker.com and see if there are discounted prices available. The American has HUGE rooms. A nice easy chair and ottoman furnishes the fabulous bay window nook. The king size bed with its luxurious linens is a nice departure from the typical single bed I usually get in hotels in my travel price range. The bathroom is ultra modern and has all the amenities found in a four- or five-star hotel. My room had a desk with a data port and extra supplies (handy as it was a ...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on June 5, 2004

Amsterdam American Hotel
Leidsekade 97
Amsterdam, Netherlands 1017 PN
+31 (0) 20 556 3000

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NH Barbizon Palace

Hotel | "Golden Tulip Barbizon Palace"

Quote:

I stayed at the Barbizon Palace on a last minute stop in Amsterdam and found a discounted rate on www.hotel-booker.com (about US$125). This is a very luxurious property in a less than optimal location. Just a couple of blocks from Centraal Station, and a stone's throw away from the notorious Red Light District, the very big hotel is part of a Dutch chain. The common areas are extremely luxurious. Your key card is required to operate the elevator. The hotel has comfortable, well appointed rooms are furnished with dark modern furniture. The bathrooms are ultramodern and boast all the amenities you could want. The common areas are beautiful and to...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 5, 2004

NH Barbizon Palace
PRINS HENDRIKKADE 59 72
Amsterdam, Netherlands
31 20 5564564

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Hotel Fita

Hotel

Quote:

Hotel Fita is a small, family run botique style hotel that offers good value, clean comfortable rooms, and an excellent location. A converted canal house on a quiet street two blocks from the Van Gogh Museum, this charming hotel has wonderful modern bathrooms (complete with the hotel's signature rubber ducky).

A very nice breakfast is provided for all guests in the downstairs breakfast room. The staff is wonderfully helpful and accommodating.

Hotel Fita is located in the Museum District. Take tram 5 or 2 and get off near the Van Gogh Museum.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 5, 2004

Hotel Fita
Jan Luykenstraat 37
Amsterdam, Netherlands
+31 (0)20 679 0976

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Novotel Amsterdam

Hotel

Quote:

Amsterdam is a huge conference and convention city. The Hotel Novotel provides comfortable accommodations close to the RAI. This four-star hotel has 600 modern rooms for the business traveler with all the expected amenities. Within walking distance to the RAI and trams to Central Amsterdam, close to parks and away from the Canal Zone, this is not a hotel for the traveler desiring to be in the center of the Amsterdam City action.

There’s a restaurant, bar, and gift shop onsite.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on June 5, 2004

Novotel Amsterdam
Europa Boulevard 10
Amsterdam, Netherlands
+31 (20) 5411123

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El Rancho - Argentinean Beef

Restaurant

Quote:

This is my favorite place to relax and enjoy a great meal in all of Amsterdam. There are a host of Argentinean Beef restaurants in the City but after discovering this one on my first visit, I was spoiled. If it's what you like, HUGE platters of different barbequed meats will be delivered to your table. But if you're not a beef eater, I've also enjoyed the best grilled salmon and grilled peppers I've ever had.

The service is quick and friendly. The place is obviously very popular with locals because it's always packed.

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on June 5, 2004

El Rancho - Argentinean Beef
1 Spui
Amsterdam, Netherlands

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Sarang Mas Indonesian Restaurant

Restaurant

Quote:

Rijsttafel, or Indonesian Rice Table, is one of the most popular dining experiences in Amsterdam. On my last solo trip, I decided that I had to be brave and try it. Even though I was alone, my curiosity got the best of me. A wonderful waiter helped me through the menu and I chose what appeared to be pretty much a basic rice table menu. What appeared in front of me were SEVENTEEN little bowls of wonderful flavors! Most had just a few bites of some unique menu item. It was truly a taster's delight!

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 5, 2004

Sarang Mas Indonesian Restaurant
Rokin 84
Amsterdam, Netherlands
+31 (20) 528-9590

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The Anne Frank House and Museum

Attraction | "Anne Frank House"

Quote:

A visit to the Anne Frank is an absolute must for any visitor to Amsterdam. I have heard people say, "I don't want to go there. . . it's depressing." My response, "No, it's certainly very sad. But it's also very inspiring and uplifting." As you wind your way up the narrow stairways and through the empty wood-floored rooms, peeking out windows to the sidewalk and canal below, you feel intensely what it must have been like for the families who lived in hiding for so many months. You'll pass through the famous bookcase and enter the "private", cramped rooms of the family; the bathrooms, the kitchen, and finally the room where Anne pasted photos to the walls and created a life for ...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on June 5, 2004

The Anne Frank House and Museum
Prinsengracht 267
Amsterdam, Netherlands 1016 GV
+31 20 556 71 00

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Amsterdam Canal Cruises

Attraction | "Canal boat tour"

Quote:

Typically, there is a recorded commentary in multiple languages that plays as you pass along your way. They will point out the "narrowest house", the cranes at the top of the houses for pulling things up to the upper floors, and canal boats of interest. They will tell you facts about how much sewage gets flushed into the canals and how many bikes get tossed in every year. I think my most interesting tour was the one where the driver ran into two separate boats!

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on June 5, 2004

Amsterdam Canal Cruises

Amsterdam